Earth Goddess Tellus

Earth Goddess Tellus

View of  the upper left rear panel of the Ara Pacis with Tellus, the earth goddess.  Note the peacefulness of the image—Augustus had established peace in the Roman Empire (= pax Romana).

The two infants look so contented in the arms of Tellus, the earth goddess.  The two semi–nude figures on the left and right of Tellus, with the billowing cloth, may represent the sky (on the left with the bird) and the sea (on the right with a tamed sea creature).  The sheep and the large ox seem very docile!